Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Since our last entry on May 7th, our hopes for
much-needed precipitation across central Texas have been more than fulfilled.
While benefits to the region are significant, BSEACD hopes for the care and
recovery of all those who suffered great losses due to Memorial Day flooding.

After recent heavy rains, Hays, Travis and
Blanco counties have experienced significant relief, as all have returned
rainfall numbers above monthly historical averages for May and June. According
to the district weather station, local rainfall totals reached 14.9 inches in
May, 10.5 inches over the monthly average. As a result, the water level of Lake
Travis has risen 45.2 feet since the start of 2015. During the month of May
alone 36.5 feet of that rise occurred. The Lovelady monitoring well (an Edwards
well used to determine the elevation and state of the aquifer) has risen 15.5
feet in that same time. Lake levels are at their highest since numbers reported
in April of 2011 by the LCRA and the Lovelady well is at its highest elevation,
513.8 feet, since August of 2010.

The weather phenomenon behind the intense rains
of the last several months is the much-talked-about El Nino effect. Bob
Rose, meteorologist for the LCRA, explains: “El Nino
refers to the warming of the tropical pacific waters between the coast of South
America to just north of Australia. When these waters turn unusually warm and
persist for quite a while, they tend to influence the atmosphere above them and
eventually influence the jetstream all around the world. For us in central
Texas, there is a fairly strong correlation between the development of El Nino
and a pattern of above-normal rainfall.”

As this pattern continues, so far in June, the
BSEACD weather station has reported 4.66 inches so far, 0.85 inches above the
monthly historical average. Happily, the majority of Texas is now out of
drought status, with a few small areas demonstrating “abnormally dry”
conditions. For updated information on the drought status throughout Texas,
refer to the United States Drought Monitor.

According to an unknown state meteorologist from
Texas in 1927, “Texas is a land of perennial drought broken by the occasional
devastating flood. “ We see this statement ring true as 2015 rolls into summer.
That said, drought will always be a concern for our beloved home state, so
let’s maintain our dedication to conserving our most precious natural resource,
even in this time of plenty.

Drought Rules

Either Barton Springs OR the Lovelady Well can trigger a drought declaration by the Board. However, BOTH Barton Springs AND the Lovelady Well must be above their respective drought trigger levels to exit a drought declaration.